Means for generating and radiating electromagnetic waves.



G. SEIB T.

MEANS FOHGENERATING AND RADIATiNGELECIROMAGNETIC WAVES. APPLICATION FLLED AUG/2531909. RENEWED AUG. 14,1915.

Ll 53,?1?, 'PatentedSept. 14, .1915.

F I Z JL 2 1 15 2? ,a M

c eras PATENT GEORG SEIBT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y. ASSIGNOR TO THE RADIO TELEPHONE COMPANY-,. OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MEANS FOR GENERATING AND RADIATING- ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. ML, 1915.

Application filed August 25, 1909, Serial No. 514,475. Renewed August 14, 1915. Serial No. 45,571.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORG SiuB'r, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have made. a certain new and useful Invention in Means for Generating and Radiating Electr-magnetic WVaves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for generating and radiating electro-magnetic waves, and especially waves which possess the characteristic of being weakly damped.

The object of the invention is to provide means which are simple and efficient for generating and radiating electro magnetic waves for use in effecting wireless communication, or for other purposes.

A further object is to provide means which are simple and eiiicient, for generating electro magnetic waves by means of what may be called shock excitation.-

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully herein.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawing, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Practical experience in the wireless art has demonstrated that persistent radiation of electro-magnetic waves having substantially uniform amplitudes are best adapted for use, since, thereby, closer tuning can be secured and interference troubles largely overcome. The difliculty, however, heretofore experienced in the use of waves having the characteristics mentioned is the decreased energy or intensity of such radiations, which materially affects the distance of transmission. In the systems employing the so called shock'excitation in the generation of electromagnetic waves the advantage of large energy or increased intensity of the radiated waves is secured, but the radiated waves do not possess the characteristic of uniform amplitude and are, on the contrary, quickly damped, thereby rendering the use thereof open to the objections of inability to secure close tuning, and of the disturbing influence of interference.

It is among the special purposes of my present invention to provide means whereby I am enabled to secure the advantage of the large energy or intensity of the radiations generate oscillations by means of shock excitation and to radiate, by means thereof, electro-magnetic waves having the characteristic of weak damping.

Ordinarily, in a system employing a current source and a spark. gap, with a condenser and inductance coupled in parallel with the spark gap, and associated with a radiatmg system or oscillating circuit, when the condenser discharges across the spark gap, generally two sets of oscillations are set up, namely, one in the oscillating circuit containing the condenser and the other in the radiating system 'or other oscillating circuit associated with the condenser circuit.

In accordance with the principle of my invention, however, employing a source of current, a spark gap, condenser and inductance connected as above indicated, and associated with a radiating system or other oscillation circuit, I propose to provide one or more ad ditional spark gaps, not the series of gaps, such as are ordinarily employed, but additional gaps placed in a parallel circuit to the condenser in order to more quickly damp out the oscillations in the condenser circuit, thereby rendering the induced'oscillations in the radiating system or oscillation circuit, which is associated with the condenser circuit, more persistent and less damped. The additional spark gap may be located and arranged in many specifically dilferent ways, and may comprise one spark gap or a series of spark gaps.

I will hereinafter refer to the ordinary spark gap, in parallel with which the condenser circuit is connected as the spark gap, and, in order to distinguish and identify the additional spark gap hereinabove referred to, and the association of which in the system constitutes an essential feature of my invention, I will call the same the auxiliary spark gap, and, as above indicated both the spark gap and the auxiliary spark gap may comprise one or a series of gaps.

In employing the term spark, in connection with the apparatus I mean what is sometimes referred to as a shock eXciter.

Inthedrawing Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing one form of arrange ment embodying my invention wherein a are single spark gap anda single auxiliary gap is employed. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a series of auxiliary spark gaps. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a conductive coupling with the radiating system." Fig. 4 isa similar View showing an intermediate circuit interposed between the oscillating circuit and the radiating system. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing a series of auxiliary spark gaps shunted by an inductance. Fig. 6 is a' similar View showing an arrangement of. independent auxiliary spark gaps included within the scope of my invention. Fig. 7 is a similar View showing a series of spark gaps and also independent auxiliary sparkgaps. Fig. '8 is a detail View in section of a series .,of auxiliary spark gaps.

Any suitable source of current may be employed. While, therefore, I have shown a single phase alternating current generator, as indicated at A in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, my invention, as defined in the claims, is not to be limited or restricted in this respect.

I. The spark gap B, is connected across the terminals of the source of current, and may comprise, as above indicated, one gap, as indicated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, or a series of gaps, as indicated at B, in Fig. 7.

Reference sign C, designates a condenser,

which,"with an inductance coil D, is connected in parallel with the spark gap in the usual manner well known in the art. The inductance coil D, may constitute the primary of a transformer for inductively associating the oscillating circuit 'B C D with the aerial or radiating system E, F, the

secondary G, of the transformer being included in the radiating system circuit, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6. If desired, however, the oscillating circuit B C D, may be otherwise than inductively coupled to the radiating system. Thus, as shown in Fig. 3, the inductance coil. D, may be included directly in the circuit of the radiat- .ing system, thereby constituting a conductive coupling. The same arrangement is shown at D Fig. 7, while in Fig. 4, the in ductance coil D is the primary of a transformer, the secondary G of which, is in an intermediate circuit H, containing a condenser. C, and inductively connected through coils J, K, to the aerial or radiating circuit F, E. In Fig. 7, an auxiliary condenser C", is coupled in series parallel with the circuit of condenser C, and the inductance.

Now, referring to Fig. 1, the auxiliary spark gap L, is arranged in the oscillating circuit of condenser C, and inductance D.

.In Fig. 2, I have shown a plurality or series of auxiliary spark gaps L, arranged in the circuit of the condenser and inductance.

In Figs. 3 and 4, the auxiliary spark gap employing auxiliary spark gaps L L placed in the circuit of the condenser Q, and inductance D.

In Fig. 7, I have shown two independent seriesof auxiliary spark gaps L L placed inthe circuit, of the condenser and inductance. l

' ducting disksor plates N, superposed flatwise, the one upon the other, but separated from each other by interposed insulation, such, forinstance, as mica disks or sheets, indicated at C, the separating insulating plates or sheets being of much smaller diameter orsize than the conducting plates N, so that comparatively large surface areas of the proximate conducting disks or sheets are presented toward each other, the spark or discharge taking place atsame between these juxtaposed surfaces.

The use of the auxiliary spark gap I have found to give better results than by ohmic resistance or other methods for the radiation of shock excited electromagnetic waves which are weakly damped.

In operation the spark gap B, and B, accomplishes the shock excitation, and if no auxiliary spark gap is employed the resulting radiations would be quickly damped waves. By inserting the auxiliary spark gap, however, the oscillations in the circuit containing thecondenser and inductance are quickly damped, but the radiated waves, although shock excited and hence of increased intensity, are weakly damped, and hence more closely approach the condition of waves of substantially uniform ampli- In Fig. 8, I have shown a simple form of tude. Another advantage accruing from the use of the auxiliary spark gap is that it iliary spark gaps are employed, one on each side of the condenser.

It will be observed that by employing a single spark gap B or connected across the terminals of the source of current supply the potential of the charging current does not have to be so high as would be the case where a plurality of such spark gaps are so connected. Therefore, in practice, I prefer to employ a single spark gap connected across the terminals of the current source to function in the usual manner and to employ the auxiliary spark gaps in the oscillating circuit which contains the condenser and inductance to function only in connection with the high frequency oscillations in the oscillating circuit to quickly damp, quench or extinguish the high frequency oscillations in said circuit after the initial or prime discharge takes place.

The auxiliary spark gap exerts, as above stated, a quenching effect upon the oscillations in the circuit of the condenser, and hence, following the initial or prime discharge oscillation, the succeeding oscillations which might have resulted therefrom, in the condenser circuit, are quickly quenched or damped out, leaving the radiated waves as though, in effect, produced by such initial or prime discharge oscillation. By suitably regulating and controllingthe rate of the prime or initial discharge oscillations, the groups of weakly damped resulting radiations may be caused to follow each other with suflioient rapidity for the note produced thereby to be of inaudibly high frequency. In such case the apparatus can be used for wireless telephone purposes.

The quenching effect of the auxiliary spark gap on the oscillations in the condenser circuit which follow the initial or prime discharge oscillation may be sufficient to avoid the necessity for associating any quenching means with the spark gap B, such as are some times employed in this art.

Since the charging of the condenser must be accomplished through the auxiliary spark gap, there might be some loss of energy. This loss however small it may be, can be avoided by connecting self induction as indicated at M, in parallel with the auxiliary spark gaps. With this arrangement the charging current initially flows through this inductance coil, but the voltage at the terminals thereof increases very rapidly, and hence the auxiliary spark gap will be quickly broken through and when this occurs the current will be carried therethrough' instead of through the inductance M.

Having now set forth the object and na ture of my invention and various arrangements embodying the principles thereof, and having described the same, and the purposes, functions and modes of operation thereof, what I claim as new and useful, and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,- 1. In a system for generating and radiating weakly damped electromagnetic waves,

a source of current and'aspark gap, having associated therewith an oscillating circuit having a condenser and inductance in series tions therein, said auxiliary spark gaps bcing independent of said first mentioned spark gap.

2. In a system for generating and radiating weakly damped electro-magnetic waves, a source of alternating current, a spark gap connected across the terminals thereof, an oscillating circuit, including a condenser and inductance in series and connected in shunt to the spark gap for producing shock excited oscillations therein, and a plurality of auxiliary spark gaps independent of said first mentioned spark gap for quenching the oscillations following the initial or prime shock oscillation.

3. In a system for generating and radiating weakly damped electro-magnetic waves, an oscillating circuit, means for producing shock excited oscillations therein including a condenser and inductance in series and auxiliary spark gaps, in the oscillating cir- 4. In a system for generating and radiating Weakly damped electro-magnetic waves,

. an oscillating circuit, means for producing oscillations therein including a spark gap and an inductance and a condenser in series and connected up in shunt to the spark gap and an independent auxiliary quenching spark gap arranged in said circui 5. In a system for generating and radiating Weakly damped electro-magnetic waves, an oscillating circuit, including a condenser and an inductance in series and a spark gap, in combination with an independent auxiliary quenching spark gap arranged in the oscillating circuit.

6. In a system for generating and radiating weakly damped electro-magnetic waves, an oscillating circuit, means for producing oscillations therein including a spark gap and a condenser and inductance in series and connected up in shunt to the spark gap and a series of independent auxiliary spark gaps arranged in said circuit.

7. In a system for generating and radiating weakly damped electro-magnetic waves, an oscillating circuit, means for producing oscillations therein including a spark gap, and a condenser and inductance in series and connected up in shunt to the spark gap,

and independent spark gaps arranged in said circuit.

8. In-a system for generating and radiating weakly damped electro-magnetic waves,

an oscillating circuit, means for producing" an independent series of spark gaps arranged in said circuit. I

9. In a system for generating and radiating weakly damped electro-magnetic waves, an oscillating circuit, means for producing oscillations therein, including a spark gap inductance, and a condenser, in combination with an auxiliary spark gap arranged in said circuit, and an inductance connected in parallel with said auxiliary spark gap.

10. In a system for generating and radiating weakly damped electromagnetic waves, an oscillating circuit, including a spark gap, condenser, and inductance, and a source of current, for producing oscillations in said circuit, an auxiliary spark gap arranged in said circuit and independent of said first mentioned spark gap for quenching the oscillations following the initial or prime oscillation of each spark discharge, and a radiating system associated with said oscillating circuit,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, on this 29th day of July, A. D.,

. GEORG SEIBT.

' Witnesses:

J. E. KLEIN, CLARENCE HUNICKE. 

